Durango Redeux

Thought I would post this to lift Mopar fans spirits. Autoblog recently posted a review of the Durango, which featured a beautiful monochromatic black Durango with gunmetal rims. Absolutely sinister. Probs on the design, even if it looks a little Enclavey.

Photos copyright ©2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Attack of the Clones: Durango Fandango

I should start off by clarifying that my "Attack of the Clones" posts (admittedly a dated title, but I don't know if I should stop after using it for so long) aren't necessarily saying that the cars featured within are ugly. I realize this may be a bit confusing. I mean - the blog is about ugly cars. However it's mainly a blog where I vent on automotive style, so I think posting cars that tread previously travelled roads when it comes to style are ok to be featured. But I wanted to sure to clarify this, as I don't think the Dodge Durango is an ugly truck.

When Dodge teased shots of the new Durango (although I have to say I prefer the Magnum name, but I understand it's good to maintain consistancy), I thought the revised face was refreshingly attractive, yet masculine and bold. Plus I love the new divided cross hair grille (the new Dodge logo, not so much). I had high hopes from the rest of the truck, mainly because Chrysler corporation cars and trucks have been so disappointing for the past few years, especially since they were a high water mark for design in the 90's.

However, new that the shots of the entire truck have been released, I have to admit I'm a little let down. Not that it's ugly, but from the headlights back the flowing curves look remarkably like those on the Buick Enclave (of the two, I prefer the Durango however). I guess I was expecting something a little more butch, given the angry front end treatment. Although I suppose it's platform-mate the Grand Cherokee got the masculine square shouldered lines, so the Durango had to be unique to that end.

Which is strange considering the taillight treatment. Looking at the rear of both trucks, it's actually a bit hard to tell them apart. I suppose the reverse lamps/turn signal locations are flipped, but the shape of the trapezoid taillights are the same - and both have a chrome strip connecting them. I little variety wouldn't hurt, especially since the trucks share a majority of parts.

Dodge is Surprised

What is it with the current fascination with huge headlights? I thought as we progressed into the future headlights were supposed to get smaller and smaller, and then they'd be these little LED lines...

Dodge for one is going the opposite direction, with gigantic headlights. Most of their current models look surprised, or like anime characters of some sort. Take for example the Magnum and Durango.

Thankfully, the Durango gets a facelift for 2007, and it's amazing how much better it looks. Still has big headlights, but even a slight reduction did wonders. It's also interesting to note this is a facelift that ended up REMOVING the look of permanent surprise from the face.

Chevy HHR - Hideous Huge Rip-Off

A long time ago in a galaxy far away, VW made the new Beetle. This is turn started a strange trend of retro cars, few of which are all that inspiring. When the PT Cruiser debuted people loved it and hated it. I'm on the fence.

Chevrolet got on the bandwagon with the SSR - a slow selling, um, thing. It was a sports car that wasn't because it was a pickup, and it was a pickup that wasn't because it tried to be a sports car (with a reeeeeally long truck). I was on the fence with the styling of that one too.

They they had an idea - lets make a PT Cruiser clone! It's successful! And so it isn't plagiarism, lets hire the guy who designed the PT! So out pops the HHR. Of course, directly compared they don't look like each other that much, but in theme and execution they're identical. They even have acronym/letter names! I don't recall what "PT" stands for, but it has to be better than the HHR's ridiculous acronym's meaning: Heritage High Roof. Ironically, the Ford Thunderbird was spawned in a similar way - the guy who designed the New Beetle designed it. Look closely at the style of the front air damn and the tails and you'll see the similarities.

But I'm off topic. My real meaning for posting was the remarkably similar rear and 3/4 views of the HHR and the Durango. I wonder if the PT guy designed the Durango too?